Wicker, Feinstein, Blumenthal Unite to Stop Bigger Trucks

Statement

On Wednesday, October 21, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., will hold a press conference to discuss their bipartisan opposition to a federal mandate that would allow large trucks to pull double 33-foot trailers on the nation's highways. The Senators will be joined by representatives from the trucking industry, Teamsters, law enforcement, and a safety advocacy group.

A tractor trailer with two 33-foot trailers measures approximately 91 feet in total length, and this equipment will also be available for viewing.

Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the transportation funding bill requiring states to allow trucks with two 33-foot trailers on their highways. Current federal law permits double 28-foot trailers.

When the committee considered the measure, the Department of Transportation (DOT) advised that there is currently not enough data to draw firm conclusions on the safety implications of double 33-foot trailers. DOT recommended that no changes to truck size be considered at this time.

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